A comparative study evaluating the quality of life in patients receiving chemotherapy versus oral TKI in the third line and beyond setting for advanced non–small-cell lung cancer.
Authors: Nandini Sharrel Menon, Vanita Noronha, Vijay Maruti Patil, Ajaykumar Chandrabhan Singh, Nilendu Purandare, Abhishek Mahajan, Amit Janu, Sucheta More, Supriya Goud, Srushti Shah, Kunal Naishadh Jobanputra, Naveen Karuvandan, Rup Jyoti Sarma, Dhwani Patel, Ritam Joarder, DARSHIT KALPESHKUMAR SHAH, Minit Jalan Shah, Anupa John, Prashant Kumar, Kumar Prabhash
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2023)

e21195 Background: The outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have improved due to the availability of more effective systemic &amp; improved supportive care. This has increased the number of patients who seek treatment in the third line &amp; beyond setting. We conducted this study to compare the quality of life (QoL), toxicity &amp; outcomes in patients receiving chemotherapy &amp; oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in this setting. Methods: In this phase 3 randomized open-label study patients with stage III/IV NSCLC with disease progression on at least 2 prior lines of chemotherapy, with a life expectancy of at least 3 months, without prior TKI exposure, and stable brain metastases (if any) were included. Patients were randomised to receive chemotherapy(Gemcitabine/docetaxel/paclitaxel/vinorelbine) or TKI (erlotinib or gefitinib). Patients were evaluated at every visit for clinical benefit and toxicity (as per CTCAE v4.3). A radiological tumour response assessment was done every 8-12 weeks from the start of therapy. The QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ C-30 &amp; LC-13 questionnaires at baseline and every 8-10 weeks while on treatment. The primary endpoint is the change in QoL scores at 8-10 weeks, the secondary endpoints are safety and overall survival. The change in QoL scores at baseline and scores at 8-10 weeks was determined and the mean difference between the arms was compared using the independent t-test. Overall and progression-free survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional regression analysis. Results 246 patients were enrolled in the study, 123 in each arm. There was a male predominance in both arms. There was no significant difference in the change in the QoL scores from baseline to the subsequent visit (at 8-10 weeks) in both arms in all domains of QLQ C-30 &amp; LC 13 except alopecia. The mean difference in scores for alopecia was 23.73 (+/-52.22) in the chemotherapy arm &amp; -18.35 (+/- 47.32) in the oral TKI arm (p = 0.000). The median follow-up was 88.1 mos (95%CI39.04-137.15). On ITT analysis the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.13 mos (95%CI 2.15-4.11) in the chemotherapy arm and 2.26 mos (95%CI 2.1-2.43) in the oral TKI arm, hazard ratio (HR) 1.074 (95% CI 0.833- 1.38), p = 0.6. There were 120 deaths in each arm. The median overall survival (OS) was 7.63 mos (95% CI 5.96-9.30) in the chemotherapy arm and 7.5 mos in the oral TKI arm (95% CI 5.85-9.14); HR 1.024 (95%CI 0.793-1.321),p = 0.9. The toxicity profile was similar in both arms except for CIPN, alopecia, pedal edema which was higher in the chemotherapy arm, &amp; dry skin &amp; skin rash was higher in the oral TKI arm Conclusion In the third line setting there is no significant difference in most QoL domains with similar outcomes( PFS&amp; OS) and toxicity profile is consistent with expected toxicities of the drugs.